Diana M Smith

Diana Smith, 83, of Arlington, TX sadly passed away on March 30, 2023 after a lengthy battle with heart illness. Diana was born on December 18, 1939, in Toledo, OH to the union of Addie Mae and Calhoun Belcher and raised in Toledo, OH.

She met William E Smith Jr in Toledo, and they were married in June 1966. They moved to Minot AFB North Dakota for William’s first military assignment and then on to the next station in San Antonio, TX. Diana and William would go on to raise 4 children in San Antonio. Diana was born into the religion of Moorish Science Temple of America (Moslem). Later as an adult she was baptized in the Baptist Church. She is a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church family where she served on the Health Ministry.

Diana could accomplish anything she set her mind to do. At an early age, she learned what hard work was after father and then her mother passed away. Shortly after her mother passed away, Diana graduated from Beauty College in Toledo, OH as valedictorian. She went on to LVN school. Her education did not stop there. In 1975 she finished her RN program at San Antonio College, and in 1989 she was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration in Dallas. She spent her career at Arlington Memorial Hospital where she retired after 21 years as Director of Daytime Surgical Services and later retired from Community Health Clinical Nursing. She was a hard worker and led by example. She was much respected and admired.

Throughout her career and in retirement, she was an active volunteer and member of many community organizations. She was past president of Altrusa Southeast Tarrant County Early Risers and The League of Women Voters of Arlington, graduate and member of Leadership Arlington, a member of American Association of University Women, for which she was named 1993 Woman of the year. In 1993 Tarrant County Junior College recognized her efforts with the Minority Achievement Community Service Award.

A major highlight in her life was when she was named one of ten United Way Community Hero Torch Bearers chosen to carry the torch through Arlington for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Diana had the honor of carrying the Olympic flame for many volunteers that make the community and world a better place to live. She was past president of the local Association of Operating Room Nurses, and an active member of the Chi Eta Phi, Lambda Eta Chapter Nurses Sorority.

Diana was preceded in death by her grandparents; her mother Addie Mae and father Calhoun; her husband: William, Jr; her son: William, III (Sparky). She is survived by her children Maurice Belcher-bey, Rancho Cordova, CA; Andre Belcher-bey, Arlington, TX; Tanya Strozier, Seattle, WA; her sister Jean (Eugene, Sr) Oliver, Southfield, MI; and her brother Calvin King Jr., Toledo, OH.

Her loving memory will forever beat in the hearts of her extended family of 11 grandchildren; a host of great grandchildren; her niece, 2 nephews; and other relatives.

Diana is not remembered just by her years as a nurse or years of service to the community, but by the difference she made during those years by stepping into the lives of others. She was a strong and loving wife, mother, sister, and friend to many, especially her long-time best friend, Scheilia Rucker. Diana and William are together. We will miss them both every day.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Water From The Rock faith-based non-profit providing services to those in need in Arlington TX to enhance their ability to achieve self-sufficiency https://wftrarlington.org.